Adam Epstein '05

Although our first application deadline is over three months away, we’re already getting many questions and requests from students eager to apply now! I want to let you know of a few changes to our application process for the coming year.

First, we’ve modified our application deadlines slightly. We still have three rounds of application: two early action options and a regular decision option. The changes are to the early action rounds and are as follows:

• Early Action Round 1: Application deadline is November 10 with a decision notification of December 20
• Early Action Round 2: Application deadline is January 1 (no change) with a decision notification of February 10
• Regular Decision: Application deadline is February 1 (no change) with a decision notification of April 1 (no change)

All application options are non-binding meaning that you can apply whenever you want and, if admitted, have until May 1 to let us know whether or not you are enrolling. Learn more by reviewing our full Admissions Deadlines.

The other addition to our application this year is the inclusion of a supplemental form for students applying using the Common Application or Universal Application. In the past we have not required a supplement, but we have found ourselves making admissions decisions with varying amounts of information. Students applying with the WPI application are asked questions specific to WPI. On our application, we’re able to ask students for a specific intended major (if known), whether they are interested in one of our pre-professional programs (pre-med, pre-vet, pre-dental, pre-law), whether they have relatives employed at WPI, and if they have family members who attended WPI. We’ve been unable to capture this information fully on the Common and Universal Applications, and now the supplement will allow for it.

If you apply with the Common or Universal Application online, you’ll be able to complete the supplemental form with your application. If you submit a paper version of the Common or Universal Application, you’ll be able to download a copy of the form from the Admissions Web site. If you use the WPI application, the questions asked on the supplemental form are built in, so you won’t need to complete the form (unless you choose to not submit your SAT or ACT scores by using our Flex Path option; in that case, you’ll need to submit our Flex Path form).

Some publications and Web sites outside of WPI may have outdated information regarding the above deadlines and forms. In this first year, we will be slightly flexible with the application deadlines, but the supplementalal form for the Common and Universal Applications will be required. Please refer to the Applying to WPI section of the Admissions Web site for the most up to date and accurate information.

If you are ready to apply now, you are welcome to submit a Common or Universal Application. The WPI application and supplement mentioned above will be available in August. You’re certainly welcome to wait since our first deadline is not until November, but in the meantime you may consider spending your remaining summer weeks thinking about your essay.

We look forward to reviewing your applications soon!

With the world’s premier cycling race (the Tour de France) well underway this month, many students and families are embarking on a tour of their own: the summer college visit tour. Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen a marked increase in visitors to WPI, and we consistently have numerous families each day from all over the country and world. Just yesterday I was speaking with one family from the San Francisco bay area of California when they realized the family next to them lives just miles away.

If you are among the thousands of families making one or more college trips this summer—even if only to a handful of schools—you should be sure to make the most of your visits. Not only is someone spending money to travel to these locations, finding the college for you is important and should be taken seriously. You’re not too cool to visit colleges, you shouldn’t feel like you are being dragged by your parents, and you shouldn’t just sit back and take everything at face value.

So, how should you make the most of your visits? Here are a few of my suggestions:

1. Take notes. I’m not suggesting you write down every piece of information you hear (in fact, many of the statistics and details will be provided in print) but rather make note of what makes each institution unique. What do the student tour guides spend most of their time discussing? What’s the most important piece of the admissions presentation? Is the campus well maintained? Are people on campus outside of the Admissions Office friendly and helpful?
2. Imagine yourself here. Don’t forget, you are going to be living at the college you choose for the next four years. You want to find the right fit. The right fit should take into account all aspects of college life: academics, social life, surrounding area, activities on- and off-campus,
3. Ask thoughtful questions. College is a big decision and a big investment. You want to get as much information as possible, and you want to be sure that all of your questions are answered. Whether your parents are paying none, some, most, or all of the bills, they’re probably going to want to get answers to questions—some the same, some different—too. For example, it’s easy to find the student-to-faculty ratio number. I’d suggest asking a more thoughtful question about that number to find out what it really means. That number is irrelevant if the faculty do research in their labs or offices all day and your classes are taught by graduate students. Perhaps, to a student, “Tell me about how you interact with faculty members on a daily basis,” or “What opportunities have you had to get involved with faculty research?”

I could go on. In short, make the most of the time you spend visiting college campuses. Most people wouldn’t buy a car without test driving it. Most people wouldn’t buy a house without going in it. Most people would ask questions when buying those big ticket items. You should too when it comes to your college search process.